Method and device for packaging products and array of packaged products

ABSTRACT

A method for packaging products ( 3 ), such as candies, the method comprising the steps of positioning the products on a first sheet ( 1 ) which is continuously moved in a transport direction, covering the products by a second sheet ( 2 ) which is continuously moved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantially plane-parallel to the first sheet, and sealing together the first and second sheets near the outer edges of the individual products or grouped products by a sealing device ( 22 ), wherein the sealing device comprises sealing ribs ( 12 ) extending substantially transversely to the transport direction on one side of the moving sheets, wherein the sealing ribs ( 12 ) are being moved at the same speed as the sheets and the sealing ribs seal the first and second sheets together in between the moving products.

The invention relates to a method for packaging products, such ascandies, in a removable enclosure, wherein the products are positionedon a first sheet which is continuously moved in a transport direction,wherein the products are covered by a second sheet which is continuouslymoved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantiallyplane-parallel to the first sheet, and wherein the first and secondsheets are sealed together near the outer edges of the individualproducts or grouped products by a sealing device.

Such a method is used for providing a bandoleer of individually packagedproducts or of products that are grouped together in one sealedenvelope, wherein the envelopes can be separated from each other at alater stage. The invention aims at an improved method, wherein productscan be wrapped efficiently at a fast speed, wherein the packaging devicecan be easily adapted for differently sized products, wherein as littlepackaging material as possible is used, and/or wherein brittle productscan be wrapped with as little damage possible.

To that end the sealing device comprises sealing ribs extendingsubstantially transversely to the transport direction on one side of themoving sheets, wherein said sealing ribs are being moved at the samespeed as the sheets and the sealing ribs seal the first and secondsheets together in between the moving products. Thereby the sheets canmove continuously, without the need to interrupt the movement forsealing the sheets together. Preferably the sealing device comprises arotating frame, the rotation axis of said frame extending transverselyto the transport direction, wherein said sealing ribs extend from acoaxial cylindrical surface of said frame.

In order to prevent damage to the products, in particular if theproducts have a substantial height, at least one of said sheets ispreferably pre-shaped to fit at least partially around the productsbefore the film comes into contact with the products. Said pre-shapingaction is preferably performed by a pre-shaping device comprising afirst rotating shaping frame on one side of the moving sheet and asecond rotating shaping shape on the opposite side of the moving sheet,the rotation axes of both frames extending transversely to the transportdirection of the sheet, wherein said frames comprise co-operatingprotruding shaping ribs extending substantially transversely to thetransport direction, wherein the shaping ribs of both frames movebetween each other, and wherein said shaping ribs are being moved at thesame speed as the pre-shaped sheet. Preferably the first pre-shapingframe is positioned such that it guides the pre-shaped film towards theother moving sheet while including the products. Preferably the firstpre-shaping frame is the same frame as the rotating frame of the sealingdevice, and the shaping ribs on said frame are said sealing ribs.

The described method is particularly advantageous when the products havean elongated form and are positioned transversely on the first movingsheet. Preferably the sealing ribs comprise ultrasonic welding means.Preferably the sealed areas between the products are perforated orscored, such that the packaged products stay attached to each other, butcan be easily separated.

The invention also relates to a device for packaging products, such ascandies, comprising first transport means for continuously moving afirst sheet in a transport direction, positioning means for positioningthe products on the first sheet, second transport means for continuouslymoving a second sheet in the same transport direction in alignmentsubstantially plane-parallel to the first sheet while covering theproducts, and a sealing device for sealing the first and second sheetstogether near the outer edges of the individual products, wherein thesealing device comprises protruding sealing ribs extending substantiallytransversely to the transport direction, and said sealing device furthercomprises synchronizing means for moving said sealing ribs at the samespeed as the sheets while sealing the first and second sheets togetherin between the moving products.

Furthermore the invention relates to a method for packaging products,such as candies, wherein the products are positioned on a first sheetwhich is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein theproducts are covered by a second sheet which is continuously moved inthe same transport direction and which is aligned substantiallyplane-parallel to the first sheet, and wherein the first and secondsheets are sealed together near the outer edges of the individualproducts by a sealing device, wherein at least one of said sheets ispre-shaped by a pre-shaping device to fit at least partially around theproducts before the sheet comes into contact with the products, whereinsaid pre-shaping device comprises a first rotating shaping frame on oneside of the moving sheet and a second rotating shaping frame on theopposite side of the moving sheet, the rotation axes of both drumsextending transversely to the transport direction of the sheet, whereinsaid frames comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs extendingsubstantially transversely to the transport direction, wherein theshaping ribs of both frames move between each other, and wherein saidshaping ribs are being moved at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet.

The invention also relates to a device for packaging products, such ascandies, comprising first transport means for continuously moving afirst sheet in a transport direction, positioning means for positioningthe products on the first sheet, second transport means for continuouslymoving a second sheet in the same transport direction in alignmentsubstantially plane-parallel to the first sheet while covering theproducts, a sealing device for sealing the first and second sheetstogether near the outer edges of the individual products, and apre-shaping device for pre-shaping at least one of said sheets to fit atleast partially around the products before the sheet comes into contactwith the products, wherein said pre-shaping device comprisesco-operating protruding shaping ribs extending substantiallytransversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs ofboth drums are movable between each other, and said pre-shaping devicefurther comprises synchronizing means for moving said shaping ribs atthe same speed as the pre-shaped sheet.

Further the invention relates to an array of packaged products, such ascandies, comprising two sheets which are sealed together and enclosesaid products or groups of products, wherein the sealed areas betweenthe products are weakened, for instance by scores of perforations, suchthat the packaged products can be easily separated, wherein one of saidsheets is a substantially flat relatively rigid board or film and theother sheet is a relatively flexible foil shaped to fit at leastpartially around the products. Preferably the sides of the sealed sheetsextending from the outer ends of the products are bend, upwards ordownwards, in order to give the array rigidity in its longitudinaldirection. In this manner a very efficiently packaged product isobtained. The extending sides of the sealed sheets can be given such alength that they can be bend further, over the packaged products and besealed together, such that the rigid board forms a protective tubularbox.

The invention will be illustrated with reference to the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a packaging device;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a detail of the packaging deviceof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a further schematic side view of a detail of the packagingdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an array of packaged products.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the packaging device has a first rollof card board 1 having a plastic coating on at least one side and asecond roll of plastic film 2. The elongated candy bars 3 are placedtransversely on a first endless conveyor 4. A separation device 5 has abarrier which moves up and down at regular intervals for spacing thecandy bars 3 a pre-defined distance apart.

The second conveyor 6, the third conveyor 7, the fourth conveyor 8, thefifth conveyor 9, as well as the card board 1 all move at the samespeed, which is larger than the speed of conveyor 4 in order toaccommodate the larger mutual distance of the candy bars.

The plastic film 2 is led between a co-operating rotating shaping drums10, 11. Both drums 10, 11 have protruding shaping ribs 12, 13 whichduring rotation are moved between each other like a gear unit, therebycorrugating the plastic film 2 into the desired shape. The drum 10 hasflexible suction cups 14 between its ribs 12 which hold the pre-shapedfilm by a vacuum action force.

The pre-shaped film 2 is placed on top of the moving candy bars 3 by thedrum 10 while they are at the same time being transferred by theconveyor 6 onto the coated side of moving cardboard 1. In this mannerthe candy bars 3 are enclosed in the cardboard 1 and the pre-shapedplastic film 2. When the ribs 12 are at their lowest point 2 they pushthe plastic film 2 onto the cardboard 1, where the plastic film 2 iswelded on the coated side of cardboard 1 by a first ultrasonic weldingdevice 22, which co-operate with ultrasonic welding means present in thesealing ribs 12. In this manner a series of interconnected tubes isformed, each tube comprising a candy bar. By changing the opening timeof the separation device 5 also two or more candy bars 3 can be groupedtogether and enclosed in a single tube thereby.

Subsequently the transverse seals between the candy bars 3 areperforated or scored by a rotating drum 24 having scoring or perforatingribs 15. Then the ends of the film 1 which extend from the sides of thecandy bars 3 are pushed down by two further ultrasonic sealing devices16 and sealed to the cardboard 1, whereby the candy bars 3 are enclosedinside the cardboard and plastic film in an airtight manner. At thisstage the candy bars 3 form an endless array of interconnected packagedproducts. The separation drum 17 separates the products into arrays 19of for instance six candy bars each by means of cutting ribs 18.

The array 19 of candy bars 3 as shown in FIG. 4 thereby has a cardboardlayer 1 on the bottom side and a shaped plastic film layer 2 on the topside which is sealed onto the cardboard layer 1 in between the candybars 3. These transverse seals have scores or perforations 20 so thatindividual products can be easily torn off, without breaking the seal.Both sealed longitudinal sides 21 of the package are folded upwards,giving the array 19 such rigidity that it can subsequently be treated asa box. The array 19 can be shipped to and exposed in shops, and sold tothe public, without the need to enclose it in a further layer ofplastic, as is the case with prior art packaging methods of candy bars.

1. A method for packaging products (3), such as candies, in a removableenclosure, said method comprising the steps of positioning the products(3) on a first sheet (1) which is continuously moved in a transportdirection, covering the products (3) by a second sheet (2) which iscontinuously moved in the same transport direction and which is alignedsubstantially plane-parallel to the first sheet (1), and sealingtogether the first and second sheets (1,2) near the outer edges of theindividual products (3) or grouped products by a sealing device (10, 22,16), said sealing device comprising sealing ribs (12) extendingsubstantially transversely to the transport direction on one side of themoving sheets (1, 2), wherein said sealing ribs (12) are being moved atthe same speed as the sheets (1, 2) and the sealing ribs (12) seal thefirst and second sheets (1, 2) together in between the moving products(3).
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sealing device (10,22, 16) comprises a rotating frame (10), the rotation axis of said frame(10) extending transversely to the transport direction, wherein saidsealing ribs (12) extend from a coaxial cylindrical surface of saidframe (10).
 3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising thestep of pre-shaping at least one of said sheets (2) to fit at leastpartially around the products (3) before the sheet (2) comes intocontact with the products (3).
 4. A method according to claim [[2,]] 3,further comprising the step of performing said pre-shaping action by apre-shaping device (10, 11) comprising a first rotating shaping frame(10) on one side of the moving sheet (2) and a second rotating shapingframe (11) on the opposite side of the moving sheet (2), the rotationaxes of both frames (10, 11) extending transversely to the transportdirection of the sheet (2), wherein said frames (10, 11) compriseco-operating protruding shaping ribs (12, 13) extending substantiallytransversely to the transport direction, wherein the shaping ribs (12,13) of both frames (10, 11) move between each other, and wherein saidshaping ribs (12, 13) are being moved at the same speed as thepre-shaped sheet (2).
 5. A method according to claim 3, furthercomprising the step of positioning the first pre-shaping frame (10) suchthat it guides the pre-shaped sheet (2) towards the other moving sheet(1) while including the products (3).
 6. A method according to claim 1,further comprising the step of positioning transversely on the firstmoving sheet (1) products (3) having an elongated form.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the sealing ribs (12) comprise ultrasonicwelding means.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sealedareas between the products (3) are perforated or scored, such that thepackaged products (3) stay attached to each other, but can be easilyseparated.
 9. A device for packaging products (3), such as candies,comprising first transport means (8) for continuously moving a firstsheet (1) in a transport direction, positioning means (4, 5, 6) forpositioning the products (3) on the first sheet (1), second transportmeans (10) for continuously moving a second sheet (2) in the sametransport direction in alignment substantially plane-parallel to thefirst sheet (1) while covering the products (3), and a sealing device(10, 22, 16) for sealing the first and second sheets (1, 2) togethernear the outer edges of the individual or grouped products (3), whereinthe sealing device (10, 22, 16) comprises protruding sealing ribs (12)extending substantially transversely to the transport direction, andsaid sealing device (10, 22, 16) further comprises synchronizing meansfor moving said sealing ribs (12) at the same speed as the sheets (1, 2)while sealing the first and second sheets (1, 2) together in between themoving products (3).
 10. A method for packaging products (3), such ascandies, wherein the products (3) are positioned on a first sheet (1)which is continuously moved in a transport direction, wherein theproducts (3) are covered by a second sheet (2) which is continuouslymoved in the same transport direction and which is aligned substantiallyplane-parallel to the first sheet (1), and wherein the first and secondsheets (1, 2) are sealed together near the outer edges of the individualgrouped products (3) by a sealing device (10, 22, 16), wherein at leastone of said sheets (2) is pre-shaped by a pre-shaping device (10, 11) tofit at least partially around the products (30) before the sheet (2)comes into contact with the products (3), wherein said pre-shapingdevice (10, 11) comprises a first rotating shaping frame (10) on oneside of the moving sheet (2) and a second rotating shaping frame (11) onthe opposite side of the moving sheet (2), the rotation axes of bothframes extending transversely to the transport direction of the sheet(2), wherein said frames comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs(12, 13) extending substantially transversely to the transportdirection, wherein the shaping ribs (12, 13) of both frames (10, 11)move between each other, and wherein said shaping ribs (12, 13) arebeing moved at the same speed as the pre-shaped sheet (2).
 11. A devicefor packaging products (3), such as candies, comprising first transportmeans (8) for continuously moving a first sheet (1) in a transportdirection, positioning means (4, 5, 6) for positioning the products (3)on the first sheet (1), second transport means (10) for continuouslymoving a second sheet (2) in the same transport direction in alignmentsubstantially plane-parallel to the first sheet (1) while covering theproducts (3), a sealing device (10, 22, 16) for sealing the first andsecond sheets (1, 2) together near the outer edges of the individual orgrouped products (3), and a pre-shaping device (10, 11) for pre-shapingat least one of said sheets (2) to fit at least partially around theproducts (3) before the sheet comes into contact with the products (3),wherein said pre-shaping device (10, 11) comprises a first rotatingshaping frame (10) on one side of the moving sheet (2) and a secondrotating shaping frame (11) on the opposite side of the moving sheet(2), the rotation axes of both frames (10, 11) extending transversely tothe transport direction of the sheet (2), wherein said frames (10, 11)comprise co-operating protruding shaping ribs (12, 13) extendingsubstantially transversely to the transport direction, and wherein theshaping ribs (12, 13) of both frames are movable between each other, andsaid pre-shaping device (10, 11) further comprises synchronizing meansfor moving said shaping ribs (12, 13) at the same speed as thepre-shaped sheet (2).
 12. An array (19) of packaged products (3), suchas candies, comprising two sheets (1, 2) which are sealed together andenclose said products (3) or groups of products, wherein the sealedareas between the products (3) are weakened, such that the packagedproducts (3) can be easily separated, and wherein one of said sheets (1)is a substantially flat relatively rigid board or film and the othersheet (2) is a relatively flexible foil shaped to fit at least partiallyaround the products (3).
 13. An array (19) of packaged products (3)according to claim 12, wherein the products (3) have an elongated formand are positioned transversely with respect to the sheets (1, 2). 14.An array (19) of packaged products according to claim 13, wherein thesides of the sealed sheets (1, 2) extending from the outer ends of theproducts (3) are bent in order to give the array (19) rigidity in itslongitudinal direction.